How to Create Beaded Curtains
Add personality and style to any room with a beaded curtain. You can create beaded curtains yourself, even if you're not an experienced jewelry artist or crafter. The most difficult part of the project is selecting the beads for the curtain design; options include sparkling crystal beads, painted wood beads, natural bamboo beads, shimmering shell beads and even semi-precious gemstone beads. The number of beads you'll need to create a beaded curtain will vary based on the size of the bead and on the length and width of the curtain. Look for deals on bulk beads from online bead retailers. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Curtain rod
- Screw driver
- Screws
- Measuring tape
- Drop beads
- 24-gauge beading wire
- Wire cutters
- Crimp beads
- Crimping pliers
- Center drilled beads
Instructions
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1
Install a curtain rod between the door frame or over the window where you plan to hang your beaded curtain. Do not use tension rods; they are rarely strong enough to hold a heavy beaded curtain.
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2
Measure the height of the opening in the doorway or over the window. If you are hanging the curtain in a doorway, subtract at least 1 inch from the overall height as it's best if the curtain does not touch the ground.
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3
Measure the length of the drop beads you selected for the bottom of the curtain. Drop beads, also known as top-drilled beads, have holes drilled horizontally through the top of the bead as opposed to center-drilled beads where the holes are drilled straight through the middle of the bead.
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4
Subtract the overall length of the drop beads from the height measurement obtained in Step 2. Cut a strand of 24-gauge beading wire 10 inches longer than the new measurement.
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5
Thread a crimp bead followed by a drop bead 3 inches from one end of the cut strand of beading wire. Fold the wire as it exits the drop bead. Thread the excess back through the crimp bead. Slide the crimp bead to rest at the top of the drop bead. Press the crimp bead closed with crimping pliers.
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6
Thread your choice of decorative, center-drilled beads over the open end of the wire, down to the crimp bead. Make sure that the first few beads slide over both strips of wire exiting the crimp bead. Thread beads onto the wire to within 7 inches of the end. Slide a crimp bead onto the wire behind the last decorative bead.
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7
Make a loop in the beading wire behind that last crimp bead that you added. The loop should be large enough to fit over the curtain rod. Fit the wire over the curtain rod and slide the end back through the last crimp bead and the first few decorative beads. Press the crimp bead with crimping pliers.
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8
Repeat Steps 5, 6 and 7 to add as many beaded curtain strands as needed to fill the width of the curtain rod.
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References
Resources
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